The Archaeological Survey of India on Saturday marked four more spots, each measuring 4X4 metres, to excavate at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

They are parallel to the four that were chosen earlier, according to an official.

Digging, however, remained suspended in two of the four original spots where the excavation team had struck a hard surface after scooping out barely three inches of mud.

Since the surface turned out to be the floor of the Babri mosque, the ASI considered it necessary to seek fresh directives from the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court.

"Inch by inch as they moved, the excavation team could go barely five inches deep in about one-third of the area of the new pits. They went some nine inches into two of the four older pits," a representative of one of the Hindu groups said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad counsel Madan Mohan Pandey said: "As the excavations proceed, you will see facts getting unearthed... to confirm our contention that the Babri mosque was built after the demolition of a temple, which was built to mark the birthplace of Lord Ram."

Meanwhile, Zafaryab Jilani, the lawyer for the Sunni Central Waqf Board and convenor of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, raised objections to the absence of Muslim labourers in the excavating team.

"Since the excavations are aimed at digging out the truth… there is every reason to have an equal number of Hindu and Muslim labourers to carry out the task," he told rediff.com

"I have submitted my objections in writing to the ASI team head, B R Mani," he said.

He denied reports that Muslim labourers had declined to join the digging team.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 5 Sub: Objections should be overruled The ASI is a govt body.It cannot be devided into Hindus/muslims.Mr.Jilani has to be told about this by the Supreme court. If allowed to raise ... Posted by girish kulkarni Sub: digging India It is high time to stop digging India in the name of religion. India is a land which has no religion as such .It had ... Posted by param Sub: excavations in Ayodhya. the govt.of india should first arrange for an infrared photography of the entire landscape 0f temple site. this will revel that as wht is hidden ... Posted by CHANDRAKANT PARIKH Sub: Digging This is a pernicious suggestion and should not be acceded to by the authorities under any circumstance. The goverment authority under court orders will carry ... Posted by MPN Sub: O' God save humans from ruin! Humanity is dead, and the future of my country seems bleak, I fear destruction and destruction on the ruin, O' Lord of the Universe save ... Posted by mahesh kumar g.d.